Brake block assembly



May 30, 1944. G. J. HAHN EIAL BRAKE BLOCK ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 21, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS fawaf. flay/v 40a Q 7/7 flrmexvzx G J. HAHN ETAL BRAKE BLOCK ASSEMBLY May 30, 1944.

Filed Dec. 21, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS.

M w W m 4 m m em U 0 @w Patented May 30, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRAKE BLOCK ASSEMBLY George J. Hahn and Otto Sann, Johnstown, Pa.

Application December 21, 1942, Serial No. 469,692

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in brake block assemblies for mine cars and the v like.

Such brakes generally extend between and act upon a pair of car wheels at each side of the car, being operable from a brake lever mechanism at one end of the car. Diificulties have been experienced heretofore in maintaining proper alignment of the brake shoes during braking, and such brakes have had inadequate provision for the adjustment and replacement thereof.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a brake shoe assembly of the character stated. having proper alignment and uniform action upon both wheels engaged thereby, and to provide in such construction for adjustment and replacement of the brake shoes, including provision for readily removing the entire brake block to facilitate repair.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig, 1 is an end elevational view of a mine car showing the hand braking mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of one brake block and its mounting, showing my invention;

Fig, 3 is an elevational view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line IV--IV of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of Fig. 3, showing a modification of the brake shoe.

Referring to the drawings, the mine car or the like include a body 2 carried by suitable framework including side sills or frames 3. Pairs of wheels 4 are rotatably mounted on the car outwardly beyond each sill, as shown in Fig. 2.

Extending horizontally between said wheels at each side of the car are brake blocks 5 of angular cross section, including an upper horizontal outwardly extending flange 6 and a vertically depending base 1. said block preferably being formed of metal. The ends of each block terminate short of the wheels 4 and the base portion I may be tapered as indicated in Fig. 3.

Wooden brake shoes 8 are secured in the ends of the block 5, as by bolts 9 through base 1, the inner ends of said shoes fitting in seats therefor formed by flange 6 and angle brackets M, the latter extending vertically over the ends of the shoes and horizontally beneath and supporting said blocks. The braking faces of said shoes are concave to fit thetreads of wheels 4.

Each brake block 5 is mounted in the common plane of said wheel treads and is suspended from the actuating mechanism and car sills as follows; A brake rod H is rotatably supported in a strap bearing l2 secured to the sill and car body midway of the horizontal length of the block so that said rod extends horizontally of and is spaced inwardly from the block. A pair of spaced arms l3 extend from said rod toward the block 5, said arms being carried by a common sleeve l4 rotatable with the rod.

Arms l3 freely extend through Windows ill in the base I of the block 5 for connection with the latter. The free ends of the arms l3 extend be tween the brackets l0 and hangers l6 secured to the base I, and are pivotally connected thereto by horizontal headed pins l'l. Cotter pins l8 are mounted in the flanges of the hangers IE to retain the pins in place.

In this manner, the block 5 i suspended between the wheels 4 for movement toward and away from the wheels by rotation of the arms l3. During such braking travel, the block 5 is maintained vertical or substantially normal to the wheel rotation axes by a pair of spaced links 19 pivoted to lugs 20 on the car sill 3 and to lugs 2| upon the under side of the block 5, the links l9 having an effective length equal to that of the arms l3 and being parallel thereto to insure parallel movement of said block at all times in the said vertical or normal direction.

Fig. 1 illustrates the usual mechanism for operating the brake blocks 5. including brake levers 22 secured to arms 23 of the brake rods I I, and connected through an equalizer device 24 with the brake handle 25.

Upon operating such a braking mechanism equipped with our improved brake block assemblies, the braking action will be uniform without undesirable tilting of said blocks out of line. In addition, the brake shoes 8 may be readily replaced when worn, and the entire block 5 may be removed for repair by withdrawal of cotter pins l8, pins I! and links IS, the latter also being secured by cotter pins at their pivotal connections.

In order to provide for wear, the brake blocks 8 may have slotted engagement with their mounting bolts 9, as shown at 26 in Fig. 5, whereby the blocks 8 may be slidably adjusted. Filler blocks 21 may be inserted between said blocks 8 and the brackets [0 upon such adjustment.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a car wheel brake, a brake block having brake shoes removably mounted in the ends thereof, rotatable actuating means therefor, means pivotally securing said block to said actuating means, and means spaced from said pivotal connection and actuating means for pivotally connectingsaid block with a fixed support, the last-named means having an efiective length equal to the throw of said rotatable actuating means, said actuating means and last-named means being disposed to define parallel move ment of the block in a direction substantially normal to the, wheel rotation axis.

2. In a brake for a pair of car wheels, a brake block of angular cross section, angle brackets 1 secured to the block and forming brake shoe seats in opposite ends of the block, brake shoes removably secured in said seats, rotatable actuating means, spaced means for pivotally connecting said block to said actuating means, and a pair of spaced links pivotally connected to the block and to a fixed support, said links having an efiective length equal to the throw of and disposed with said rotatable actuating means to thereby define parallel movement of the block in a direction substantially normal to the wheel rotation axes.

3. In braking mechanism of the character described, the combination witha horizontal rotatable brake rod, of a horizontal detachable brake block connected therewith, said rod having a pair of spaced arms, means for pivotally and removably connecting said arms with the brake block, brake shoes removably secured in opposite ends of the block, and a pair of spaced links pivotally secured to the block and to a fixed support, the effective length of said links being equal to the throw of said arms thereby insuring vertical parallel movement of the block by rotation of the brake rod.

4. In braking mechanism of the character described, the combination with a horizontal rotatable brake rod, of a horizontal detachable brake block connected therewith, said block having a horizontal flange and a depending base, the latter having spaced windows therein, a pair of arms on the rod freely extending through said windows, means on the block pivotally and removably securing the terminals of the arms to the block, said means including a bracket for each arm, a headed pin through the arm and bracket, and a cotter pin removably secured in the bracket to prevent disengagement of said pin, brake shoes removably secured in opposite ends of the block, and a pair of spaced links pivotally, secured to the block and to a fixed sup port, the effective length of said links being equal to the throw of said arms thereby insuring vertical movement of the block by rotation of the brake rod.

GEORGE J. HAHN. OTTO SANN. 

